The Melbourne Cup, a major Australian sporting event celebrated with a public holiday, has drawn hordes of celebrities and racing fans globally. However, rising concerns about the Cup and the racing industry have led to louder protests and calls for boycotts in recent years. The Melbourne Cup has faced mounting concerns related to gambling, animal welfare, violence, wealth inequality, and alcohol abuse.

Horses’ treatment and the risks associated with horse racing, including the deaths of seven horses during the past decade, are primary concerns. Animal rights advocates also oppose practices like whipping and tongue ties, highlighting potential health issues like lung bleeding and stomach ulcers resulting from racing. However, the Melbourne Cup event for this year was held yesterday and again disappointed the equestrian community due to insidious issues that certain horses were facing.

Concerns emerge after international horse racing event

After the Melbourne Cup, reports emerged of three horses, including a previous year’s winner, having pulled up lame. Irish galloper Without a Fight, ridden by jockey Mark Zahra, secured victory in the 3200m race at Flemington Racecourse. However, Alenquer, Right You Are, and last year’s champion Gold Trip all experienced similar lameness issues.

Derby champion Desert Crown (GB) Nathaniel Ire was not able to participate in the G1 Juddmonte International due to a recent injury sustained during a workout. The news was confirmed by owner Saeed Suhail’s racing manager, Bruce Raymond, who revealed that Desert Crown had pulled up lame and was undergoing assessment at an equine hospital. Raymond expressed concerns about the horse’s racing future, stating, “[He] pulled up lame after breezing this morning; [he’s] being assessed at [the] equine hospital, [his] career [is] in balance,” Raymond told racing broadcaster Nick Luck. Desert Crown, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, had previously shown great promise with victories in the G2 Dante S. and the Derby but had faced a series of setbacks, including an ankle injury and a leg infection, leading to his withdrawal from key races.

Horse fatalities cast a shadow on the Melbourne Cup

In the past decade, the Melbourne Cup has come under heightened scrutiny and faced growing opposition, primarily due to a distressing spate of horse fatalities. Six horses have tragically lost their lives during the Melbourne Cup, and on Cup Day in, the toll rises to a total of seven. These unfortunate incidents include the deaths of Verema (2013), Admire Rakti (2014), Araldo (2014), Red Cadeaux (2015), Regal Monarch (2017), The Cliffsofmoher (2018), and Anthony Van Dyck (2020).

Read More: Horse Racing World Witnesses Protest Déjà Vu, Renewed Against Melbourne Cup 2023 Final Title

While the 2021 Melbourne Cup did not record any horse fatalities, it’s evident that concerns surrounding horse welfare during this iconic event continue to raise questions and demand greater attention. The spectre of horse deaths casts a shadow over the Melbourne Cup, prompting calls for improved safety measures and heightened awareness of the welfare of these animals. This cannot be called death, but murder.

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